Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | Research | General/Other FY 2025 Research and Evaluation Plan

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service conducts a variety of studies, evaluations, and related activities that respond to the needs of policymakers and managers and help ensure that nutrition assistance programs achieve their goals effectively. This plan provides short descriptions of projects that are expected to launch in fiscal year (FY) 2025. 

It reflects decisions by FNS program and research staff and leadership on the best use of available research funding to meet current information needs that are aligned with agency priorities to improve program efficiency, integrity, and nutrition. FNS developed this plan in consultation with the agencies of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area. 

03/13/2024
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Results of USDA's FNS-Administered SFA Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation

​The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted school meal operations and has contributed to lasting supply chain issues affecting the cost and availability of food and labor. The School Food Authority Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation was administered to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain disruptions and the return to standard operations during SY 2022–23.

07/25/2023
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review

The Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review includes the 2019 Farm to School Census; a descriptive review of the USDA Farm to School grant program; a review of published research on farm to school since 2010; and a set of interviews with school food distributors. 

07/15/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0183 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2020-21 during COVID-19

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during implementation of alternative child nutrition program operations throughout school year 2020-21 due to the continued COVID-19 public health emergency.

SP03-2021
11/03/2020
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Assessment of the Administrative Review Process in School Meal Programs

The Administrative Review is the process state agencies use to assess compliance with federal requirements of SFAs participating in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. This study assesses the AR process by examining the results from a purposive sample of ARs. The study also describes in-depth how nine selected state agencies conduct their ARs, and ways the process could be further improved.

08/25/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0149 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2020-21 during COVID-19

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

SP23-2020
08/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0071 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during COVID-19: Q&As #2

This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to the administration of the FFVP during school closures in all states and school food authorities during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

SP19-2020 
05/19/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0022 Accommodating Disabilities in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As

This question and answer memorandum is designed to provide practical guidance related to accommodating disabilities in the school meal programs, which are the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, the Special Milk Program, and the NSLP Afterschool Snacks Program.

SP26-2017
04/25/2017
Resource | Research | Impacts/Evaluations Evaluation of the Elementary Schools Pilot Project for Canned, Frozen, or Dried Fruits and Vegetables in the FFVP

This report presents results from a pre/post study comparing the fall of 2014 with the spring of 2015, to evaluate the impacts of a pilot project under which states had the option to serve canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables.

01/19/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0033 Meaningful Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As

This memorandum consolidates and supersedes previous LEP guidance and incorporates previously released USDA and FNS guidance. FNS is issuing this guidance in a Q&A format to provide responses to questions that FNS has received regarding communications with LEP individuals.

SP37-2016
05/25/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021